I suppose I am giving some of you a big SHOCK by designing Christmas cards.

If you’re surprised about this, it’s because you know I don’t make many cards and have even been known to buy the Hallmark variety…Gasp!

I’ve always admired cardmakers who create spectacular pieces on such a small canvas. So, when I was invited to teach a card class at Urban Scrapbook, I thought, “Heck, yes! I’m going to give it a whirl!”

Using the new Graphic 45 Christmas Emporium collection and the Tim Holtz Mini Paper Rosette Sizzix die, I designed 5 cards and thought I’d share a few of the details with you.

The background is inked and embossed kraft paper, plus I used real Wood Veneer paper (Thin) from Creative Imaginations to design the mantle.

I used Fired Brick Distress Ink and the Prima Brick mask/stencil to alter the piece of kraft paper.

Then I embossed the “brick wall” with a Tim Holtz “Gridlock” embossing folder to create more texture…

After embossing, I lightly inked the raised design with Vintage Photo Distress Ink.

I also embossed the top of the wall with a Tim Holtz Wood Grain embossing folder…

…and inked the raised design again with Vintage Photo.

Close up of Wood Grain wall and wreath

The wreath is made with two medium rosette flower strips attached together. I found it helpful to create a stable base for this wreath to sit on, so I made a “donut” out of scrap paper….

Here is the Paper rosette die I used on each card

The red ribbon is actually plain cream rayon ribbon (seam binding) coloured with Fired Brick Distress Stain. Crumple it while still wet with the Stain and let dry in a crumpled ball to obtain the worn out vintage look.

Distress Stains come in so many different colours and allow you to transform any piece of seam binding!

The second card is called “JOY”…

I used 3 Tim Holtz dies to create this card….

I was a little sneaky with the “upon a time” alphabet and actually used the “Y” as the letter “J” because I didn’t like the shape of the J in the original alpha. Just cut off the arm of the Y and you have a J!! I should have been a rocket scientist…or a brain surgeon 🙂

The third card is named “Wishful Window” ….

The mother with children looking into a store window is an image from a piece of the Graphic 45 paper, which I fussy cut. Then I framed the window with real Wood Veneer paper, inked with Walnut Stain Distress Ink. The small mini rosette is accordion folded and adhered as an awning across the top of the window.

The snow banks are cut and layered below the window. Then I added clear Stickles to the raised design to add some sparkle…

This time I coloured the plain ribbon with Stormy Sky Distress Ink.

To do this, you press the ink pad randomly on the ribbon (I didn’t want solid coverage, so I missed some spots), put it in a plastic sandwich baggie, mist with water, then crumple and let dry.

Voila! A lovely vintage blue ribbon is born!

The fourth card is “Christmas Carols”…

To age the carol music paper pieces, I used Crackle Accents and Walnut Stain Distress Ink.

With a paint brush, add a medium thick coat of Crackle Accents and let dry completely, about an hour or more.

When the Crackle is dry, ink the whole surface with Walnut Stain, mist with water and wipe off with a tissue or paper towel. The dark ink stays in the cracks, making them more visible. Now you have beautiful vintage music paper!

The die cut elements are from the new Tim Holtz Festive Greenery Sizzix die…..

I cut the pieces from off-white Bazzill cardstock

….and then transformed them with a variety of Distress Inks….magical!

All the inked pieces and a small paper rosette are adhered to a piece of black cardstock and sprayed with Perfect Pearls “Heirloom Gold”.

I love this Festive Greenery die…so pretty and versatile!

The fifth and final card is titled “O Jolly Christmas Tree”…

I wish my kids looked like this on Christmas day 🙂

The Christmas tree is made with 2 medium rosette strips, separated into pieces…

TIP: Ink all the pieces before you assemble and layer into a tree.

Sookwang tape is the best adhesive to adhere the tree layers together.

Stack up your layers and adhere along the accordion folds.

Adhere the sides of the tree rosette pieces so they lie flat and you get a tree shape.

Also, I cut a 4″ x 2″ triangle shape to use as a base for the tree…adhering the rosette tree to a base will stabilize it and help it keep a nice shape. Oh, and the tree trunk is a little strip of real Wood Veneer paper inked with Walnut Stain.

Side angle of flattened sides of tree.

Fabri-Tac liquid adhesive by Beacon Adhesives is wonderful for this because it dries VERY quickly.

I also use Fabri-Tac as the adhesive for all the rosettes. Some people prefer a hot glue gun, but I’m not a big fan of burning off my fingerprints 🙂

Hope this inspires you to make some Christmas cards….or at least start your shopping 🙂

GIVEAWAY!!!!!!!!!!!!
And my early Christmas present to you….if you comment on this post and are a “Follower” of my blog, you will be entered to win a kit to make ALL these cards!! I’d also love to hear which card is your favourite 🙂 Thanks for visiting!

77 Comments on Tim Holtz Meets Graphic 45

Holy smokes Kelly ! these are frigging GORGEOUS! I can NOT believe how many techniques you have incorporated in these cards! Seriously!And while you know the window /blue one is my fav , I gotta tell you that the way you used the rosette die cut to make that Christmas tree is astounding. It amazes me how you keep coming up with unique ways to use these products..YOU should send that one to Tim himself…I bet he’d be mighty impressed with that use for his diecut! Outstanding work my friend!

Hi Kelly,What beautiful cards. You must be so proud of how you challenged yourself and came up with such a magnificent result. Michelle’s idea is brilliant – Tim would love to see what you have come up with!

Kelly, All five of these cards are unbelievably adorable. I have shared this post on the Graphic 45 Facebook business page. Our followers are going to love this. Thanks for sharing your great techniques. Happy Papercrafting!—Charee FilimoehalaGraphic 45, LLC

Kelly, my jaw dropped when I saw your beautiful creations. Sure puts my cards to shame. Now I have to work harder to make them almost as nice as yours. Thank you for sharing! And I agree, you have to let Tim know about the Tree!

I am in awe of all the beautiful cards you made and all the different ideas you came up with for one theme. Now to try and pick one card, well I love the first one with Santa and the little ones, but I also love the window scene, so I can’t pick a favorite they are all beautiful, and yes I am becoming a follower as we speak so I can keep up with all your ideas tfs

wow!! Hallmark should be calling you!! what beautiful cards!! it’s hard to decide which is my favorite, but i think i like the Joy card the best. and, i really like how you share your techniques!! even Ms 5 thumbs, like me, can give this a whirl! thank you for sharing such wonderful ideas. You Rock!!

Anonymous

November 7, 2011 at 5:29 pm (9 years ago)

I love how you step out of the box with the rosette die. You definately have a creative genius mind. It makes me want to get creative and make some cards. My fav is the first one because of all the different components to it. Awesome jobPaula

Kelly, your cards are amazing. I love the Christmas Carols card the best. Love how you color your own ribbon with distress ink. This is a great tip. I subscribed to your newsletter, however, your follow button did not work, so I could not follow. Love your work. patnbobcuddy at gmail dot com

MELINDA TATE MCCALL

Your cards are simply amazing! I love how you incorporated so many techniques in each card. The first one blew me away…by the time I saw the last, I was literally speechless. Thanks so much for sharing!

The mother with children looking into a store window is my fav – love how you used Stickles on the swirls – and that blue distress ink – I neeed me some of that. Right after I finish this, I’ joining your blog – you have used almost all of my favorite products in your post today !

Anonymous

November 8, 2011 at 3:58 pm (9 years ago)

now thATS THE WAY TO USE TIMS STUFF. I AM SO SICK OF PEOPLE BUYING ALL THIS STUFF AND NEVER USING IT. NOW YOU SURE USED ALL OF IT . SO CREATIVE YOU SHOULD BE SO PROUD OF YOURSELF.JUST GORGEOUS. I LIKE THE KIDS LOOKING THRU THE WINDOW LOVE THOSE STICKLES.TRACY

Oh, sure, just a few simple cards…..These are works of art. Just amazing. You did Tim proud! So creative. The first card is especially exceptional. I couldn’t love these more. Beautiful, Kelly. Loved the tip, too, on using distress stains to color ribbon. I usually use mists, but I like the look of the stains better. Great job, too, with all the photos. Just wow.

Kelly, all of these cards are so beautiful….cannot BELIEVE how much detail you added to each one! Maybe you should hand deliver each one….don’t know how the Canadian postal service is, but I would be scared to death to put it in the U.S. mail!!!! OMGosh!!! Love them ALL!

BTW…after your comment….thanking me for my comments over at SB.com, I had to go back and see what I had written…..LOL…..you are so funny, honey bunny!

Misty always makes me laugh with her expressions crappy doodles? I’m So gonna use that! I was gonna say YOWZA!!! 68 comments? Not even during a blog hop do I get so many comments! Goes to show- being talented AND sweet AND friendly counts- a LOT! Thank you for swinging by my blog today- it was a huge honor and I really appreciate the feedback. LOVE your card! It’s FABULOUS- the woodgrain and brick embossing are so perfectly well thought out! Pinning it for future inspiration!

Wow, Kelly these are amazing! I am always in awe of what you come up with and I can’t thank you enough for always sharing how you came up with it! You have a wonderful way of thinking outside the box and coming up with new ways to use our supplies! Thanks Kelly… and I love each and every one of these beautiful cards!Crafty Hugs my friend,Pendra

Wow super cute cards projects!!! Loveee all of them!!! You are very creative girl!! Thanks for sharing and for the inspiration!!! Hope has a chance to win for make this amaizing cards!!! Hugs.. Maggy 🙂

WHOA! Number 76!!! Well O LOVE these cards!! The paper wreath and cubed hearth on the santa card are FABULOUS!!! I also like how you printed music notes on the wood- beautiful cards- you knocked these right out the park!